[caption id="attachment_53604" align="aligncenter" width="853"]<img class="wp-image-53604 size-full" src="https://theenterprise.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2021/06/Noonkester.jpg" alt="" /> Mike Noonkester (left) and President Merlin Scales. (By Mary Dellenback Hill)[/caption] <p style="text-align: center"><strong>A longtime Ruritan member was honored for 40 years of service during a June 3 meeting of the Ararat Ruritan Club.</strong></p> <hr /> Linda Smith, who presented information on the upcoming Cruise-In, was a guest. The cruise-in will be held along with the club’s annual BBQ on Oct. 23. A Special Award Certificate was presented by President Merlin Scales to Michael (Mike) Noonkester for his 40 years of service with the Ararat Ruritan Club. During his 40 years, Noonkester was known for his BBQ at the annual BBQ day each year in October. He was named Ruritan of the year five times and served in several offices of Ararat Club and several offices of Dan River District Zone (1). In 2009, he received the highest award given by National Ruritans, The Tom Downing Award. The club meets on the 1st Thursday of the month, at 7 p.m. at 4711 Ararat Highway, Ararat. For more information, call (276) 229-6493, (276) 229-6931; or email <a href="mailto:araratruritanclub@gmail.com">araratruritanclub@gmail.com</a>.
